Exam Preparation

From Akira's perspective:

Miravenia Magical High School is the most prestigious academic institution in this country. Between the ages of 16 and 18, students are intensely trained in magic. Some graduates become researchers, bureaucrats, businesspeople, while the oddballs turn into adventurers exploring unknown worlds. Graduating puts you on what's called an elite track, earning you envious glances from all around.

Because of this, in December, which is the exam season, students from all over the world gather here.

"So, you're saying I should take the exam at that school?"

"That's right. There aren't any 15-year-olds in this village right now, and you qualify to take the exam. Each village can send up to three students every year, so it would be a waste not to try. If someone from this village gets in, it would really be something to boast about."

"I see. I do have a casual interest in music, but can that really help with magic?"

"Magic is based on three pillars: ancient languages, music, and courage. If you have a skill in any one of these, there's a good chance you can make it."

"I see. So I need to learn ancient languages and courage."

"Well, courage is more about the heart, something that effort alone can't change, so you need to thoroughly study ancient languages by October when the exams are."

With that, I began learning ancient languages from Teacher Narsha. Unlike my world, where prep schools publish textbooks that standardize learning, here learning is handed down verbally from the knowledge Narsha possesses.

Frankly, the efficiency of learning isn't as good as it was in my original world, but with no other means of study available, I took meticulous notes and gradually deepened my understanding.

I started studying in August, and before I knew it, it was December. Honestly, my ancient language skills were rushed and inadequate, but I decided to take the exam anyway.

At the examination hall of Miravenia Magic School, there were students of various skin colors and some who looked more like monsters than people.

"Look at all the different people here," I muttered, and a creature resembling a lizardman retorted, "Anyway, only those from noble human families ever pass."

Hearing this, I thought to myself that this society might not be so different from the human society I came from after all.